Category: Titus

The Grace of God

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Titus 2:11-12 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world 

‘For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men.’ Three great blessings of grace: [1] It brings salvation (2:11; Eph. 2:8-9). [2] It has appeared to all men (2:11; John 3:16; Rev, 22:17). [3] It teaches seven great lessons: (1) To deny ungodliness (2:12). (2) To deny worldly lusts. (3) To live soberly (1:8; 2:2-7). (4) To live righteously (Heb. 12:14; Rom. 6:14-23; 8:12-13). (5) To live godly (2Tim. 3:12). (6) To live right in this life. (7) To look for the rapture and the second coming (2:13; Php. 3:20).

‘Grace’ [Greek: charis]. Indeed, grace cannot be withheld from man because of demerit, lessened by demerit, or be mixed with the law of works; but this does not prove that there are no conditions men must meet to get the benefits of grace. Not one scripture teaches unconditional grace, or that God gives grace to men who disobey the gospel. If so, then God is under obligation to save all, even sinners who disobey if He saves even one (Rom. 2:11). God is under obligation to saints only when they walk in the light and remain true to the gospel (1Jn. 1:7). He is not under obligation to sinners until they come to full obedience of the gospel. Grace teaches men to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts and to live soberly, righteously, and godly here and now (Tit. 2:11-12). If people do not obey its teaching grace can go no further. Anyone may: Receive grace in vain (2Cor. 6:1). Frustrate it in his life (Gal. 2:21). Fall from it (Gal. 1:6-8; 5:4). Fail of the grace of God (Heb. 12:15). Turn it into lasciviousness (Jude 1:4). Sin despite it (Rom. 6:1). Continue or discontinue in it (Acts 13:43). Minister it to others (1Pet. 4:10). Grow or not grow in it (2Pet. 3:18). Receive or reject it (John 3:16; Rev. 22:17; Heb. 12:15; Jas. 4:6).

‘Teaching’ [Greek, paideuo] instruction as to children and in 2Timothy 2:25 we see that the opposers to the truth needed chastening by being turned over to satan and his destruction to bring them to repentance if at all possible (1Cor. 5:5; 1Tim. 1:19-20).

Be Sober-minded

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Titus 2:6-10 Young men likewise exhort to be sober-minded. In all things showing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine showing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you. Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again; Not purloining, but showing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things. 

‘Young men likewise exhort to be sober-minded.’ Four commands to young men: [1] To be sober-minded [Greek, sophroneo] sober in mind (2:6; Mark 5:15; Luke 8:35; 2Cor. 5:13; Rom. 12:3; 1Pet. 4:7). Not intoxicated in any way. [2] To be a pattern of good works [Greek, tupos] example (Php. 3:17; 1Cor. 10:6, 11; 1Thess. 1:7; 2Thess. 3:9; 1Tim. 4:12; 1Pet. 5:3); pattern (2:7; Heb. 8:5); manner (Acts 23:25); fashion (Acts 7:44); form (Rom. 6:17); figure (Acts 7:43; Rom. 5:14); and print (John 20:25). [3] To be uncorrupt, grave, and sincere in teaching (2:7). [4] To have sound speech that cannot be condemned [Greek, hugies] sound (2:8) and whole (Matt. 12:13; 15:31; Mark 3:5; 5:34; Luke 6:10; John 5:4-15; 7:23; Acts 4:10). It means healing words – the gospel of healing, not only spiritual but physical (Matt. 8:17; 1Pet. 2:24; Jas. 5:14).

‘Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again.’ Five commands to servants: Be obedient to your masters in the Lord (Eph. 6:5). Please masters in all work-related things (2:9). Do not contradict or gainsay work-related orders. Do not steal the goods of the master entrusted to you (2:10; Acts 5:2-3). Show faithfulness in all things.

In Behaviour as Become Holiness

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Titus 2:3-5 The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as become holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed. 

‘The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as become holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things. Five commands to aged women: Live holy lives – in consecration to represent  Christ (1Pet. 2:21-23). Be not slanderers. Not given to [to drink] wine. Be teachers of good things (2:3). Teach the young women (2:4)

‘Young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children.’ Eight commands to young women: To be sober [Greek: sophrosune] discretion; self-control; chastity; temperance. Translated “soberness” and “sobriety” (1Tim. 2:9, 15; Acts 26:25; cp. 2Tim. 1:7; Tit. 2:4, 12). To love their husbands. To love their children. To be discreet [Greek, sophron] of sound mind; prudent; moderate; self-controlled. Translated sober (2:8; 1Tim. 3:2); temperate (2:2); discreet (2:5). To be chaste [Greek, hagnos] properly clean, that is, (figuratively) innocent, modest, perfect: – chaste, clean, pure (2Cor. 7:11; 11:2; Php. 4:8; 1Tim. 5:22; Jas. 3:17; 1Pet. 3:2; 1Jn. 3:3). To be homemakers [Greek, oikourgos] caring for and working at home. To be good [Greek, agathas] virtuous (2:5). To be obedient to their husbands in the Lord (Eph. 5:22, 33; Col. 3:18; 1Pet. 3:1-6).

Be Sober…

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Titus 2:2 That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience. 

‘That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience.’ Six commands to aged men: [1] Be sober [Greek, nephaleos] drinking no wine or alcohol; be sober. Translated vigilant (1Tim. 3:2); and sober (1Tim. 3:11; Tit. 2:2). [2] Grave [Greek, semnos] grave (2:2,4) and honest (Php. 4:8). [3] Temperate [Greek, sophron] of sound mind; prudent; moderate; self-controlled. Translated sober (2:8; 1Tim. 3:2); temperate (2:2); discreet (2:5). [4] Sound in faith [Greek: pistis] confidence, faithfulness, trust, pledge of good faith. Translated belief (2Thess. 2:13); fidelity (2:10); assurance (Acts 17:31); and faith 239 times (Heb. 11:1-39; 12:2; etc.). [5] Sound in love – there are nine ingredients of divine love: (1) Patience – love passive: no hurry; suffers long; bears, believes, hopes, and endures all things with the exclusion of allowing other’s sin (1Cor. 13:4, 7). (2) Kindness – love in action: never acts rashly or insolently; not inconsistent, puffed up, or proud (1Cor. 13:4). (3) Generosity – love in competition: not envious or jealous (1Cor. 13:4). (4) Humility – love in hiding: no parade; no airs; works then retires (1Cor. 13:4). (5) Courtesy – love in society: does not behave unseemly; always polite; at home with all classes; never rude or discourteous (1Cor. 13:5). (6) Unselfishness – love in essence: never selfish, sour, or bitter; seeks only good of others; does not retaliate or seek revenge (1Cor. 13:5). (7) Good temper – love in disposition: never irritated; never resentful (1Cor. 13:5). (8) Righteousness – love in conduct: hates sin; never glad when others go wrong; always gladdened by goodness to others; always slow to expose; always eager to believe the best; always hopeful, always enduring (1Cor. 13:6-7). (9) Sincerity – love in profession: never boastful and conceited; not a hypocrite; always honest; leaves no impression but what is strictly true; never self-assertive; does not blaze out in passionate anger, nor brood over wrongs; always just, joyful, and truthful; knows how to be silent; full of trust; always present. [6] Sound in patience – Set yourself to expect God to answer (Ps. 37:7).

Sound Doctrine

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Titus 2:1 But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine 

‘But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine.’ Titus was to teach Jesus Christ and live the utter opposite of the Judaizers of Titus 2:10-16.

‘Speak thou the things which become sound doctrine.’ Titus was commanded, just as Timothy, to teach the gospel as given by Christ and His apostles. Eightfold command – teach sound doctrine: To the old men (2:1-2). To the aged women (2:3-4). To the young women (2:4-5). To the young men (2:6-8). To servants (2:9-10). To men – concerning grace (2:11-12). To men – concerning the rapture and the second coming (2:13). To men – concerning redemption (2:14-15). In Biblical days, people had no Bibles to read from and the disciples and apostles were to spread the Word of God through teaching and writing the Word as we have today.

All of these classes can today pick up the Word of God and study it for themselves and everyone in Christ have a responsibility to know the Word of God and not to listen to teachings on it which contain mostly false doctrine and distorted truth. KNOW GOD’s WORD!!! Man should read it to be wise, believe it to be safe, and practice it to be holy. He should read it so that it might fill his memory, rule his heart, and guide his feet in righteousness and true holiness (Rom. 10:17). Listening to others talking about God’s Word is not the same as studying it!

Unruly and Vain Talkers and Deceivers – Part 2

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Titus 1:9b-16 …that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision: Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre’s sake. One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, The Cretians are always liars, evil beasts, slow bellies. This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith; Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth. Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled. They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.

‘They of the circumcision.’ Jewish teachers of the law.

‘Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre’s sake.’ So-called Christian leaders run cults through religion; they make decisions for their followers and control their lives in various ways. Everything they do, they do in God’s name and quote Scripture to back everything, but their whole intent is always for self-gain.

‘A prophet of their own.’ This was Epimenides, 538 b.c. He wrote many poems and uttered prophecies.

‘Slow bellies’ [Greek, argos] idle, doing nothing; lazy. Translated “idle” (1Tim. 5:13; Matt. 12:36; 20:3, 6) and “barren” (2Pet. 1:8).

‘Unto the pure all things are pure.’ For those who live in purity, that which they do will always be in purity still and they will never defile themselves with anything of this world that is unholy and defiled.

Unruly and Vain Talkers and Deceivers – Part 1

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Titus 1:9b-16 …that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision: Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre’s sake. One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, The Cretians are always liars, evil beasts, slow bellies. This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith; Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth. Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled. They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate. 

‘Gainsayers’ [Greek, antilego] contradictors of truth. Translated “gainsayer” (1:9; Rom. 10:21); “speak against” (Luke 2:34; John 19:12; Acts 13:45; 28:19-22); “answer again” (2:9); “contradict” (Acts. 13:45); and “deny” (Luke 20:27).

Twenty characteristics of gainsayers: Unruly – rebellious to truth (1:10); Vain talkers – empty boasters; Deceivers – pretenders of truth; Subvert (overthrown) whole houses (1:11; 2Tim. 2:18); Teach false doctrines; Greedy of money (1:11; Php. 1:21; 3:7); Liars (1:12); Evil beasts – ferocious; Slow bellies – gluttons, hoggish; Unsound in faith (1:13); Consecrated to false doctrines (1:14); Obey human commandments (Matt. 15:1-39); Reject truth (2Tim. 4:1-4); Unclean and unbelieving (1:15); Only profess godliness(1:16; 2Tim. 3:1-17); Defiled in mind and conscience (1:15); Deny God in life and conduct (1:16); Abominable – unnatural in lusts; Disobedient to God and truth; Reprobate to all good works.

To be continued…

A Bishop Must Be – Part 2

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Titus 1:6-9a If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly. For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not self-willed, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre; But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate; Holding fast the faithful word as he had been taught…

Sixteen qualifications for bishops (elders) [continue]: [11] Sober (1:8) [Greek, sophron] of sound mind; prudent; moderate; self-controlled. Translated sober, meaning no intoxication or fogginess of the mind (1:8; 1Tim. 3:2); temperate (2:2); discreet (2:5). [12] Just (1:8) [Greek, dikaios] Translated just 33 times; righteous 36 times; right 5 times; and meet 2 times. [13] Holy (1:8) [Greek, hosios] Translated holy (1:8; 1Tim. 2:8; Heb. 7:26; Rev. 15:4); mercies (Acts 13:34); and Holy One (Acts 2:27; 13:35). The bishop must be like God’s Holy One. [14] Temperate (1:8) [Greek, engkrates] having control of oneself; self-disciplined. [15] Holding fast to sound doctrine (1:9) [Greek, antechomai] to hold one’s hand; to shade one’s eyes; to be a help. Translated support (1Thess. 5:14); hold fast (1:9); and hold to (Matt. 6:24; Luke 16:13). [16] Able to exhort believers, and convince the gainsayers (1:9). Compare the qualifications for bishops and deacons in 1Timothy (1Tim. 3:2, 8).

‘Having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly.’ This is what men expect from teachers’ children.

‘Bishop’ [Greek, episkopos] translated as “overseer” or “bishop” (Php. 1:1; 1Tim. 3:2; 1Pet. 2:25). A bishop was a preaching elder. Bishops and presbyters were the same.

A Bishop Must Be – Part 1

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Titus 1:6-9a If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly. For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not self-willed, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre; But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate; Holding fast the faithful word as he had been taught…

‘Blameless, the husband of one wife …’ Sixteen qualifications for bishops (elders): [1] Blameless [Greek, anengkletos] blameless (1:6-7; 1Cor. 1:8; 1Tim. 3:10); unreproveable (Col. 1:22). [2] Husband of one wife; i.e., not a polygamist. One could be a bishop without a wife, as Paul (2Cor. 9:5). [3] Having faithful children (1:6; cp. ruling one’s own house, 1Tim. 3:4-5, 12). [4] Not self-willed (1:7) [Greek, authades] stubborn; headstrong; unfeeling; self-willed (2Pet. 2:10). [5] Not soon angry (1:7) [Greek, orgilos] prone to anger; hot-headed; passionate. [6] Not given to wine (1:7). [Greek, paroinos] a winebibber (1Tim. 3:3). [7] No striker (1:7). [Greek, plektes] not quarrelsome; one not ready to strike back at those who displease him; no persecutor of those who differ with him (1Tim. 3:3). [8] Not given to filthy lucre (1:7) [Greek, aischrokerdes] not desirous of base gain; not using wrong methods to raise money to increase his own income (1:7; 1Tim. 3:3, 8). [9] A lover of hospitality (1:8) [Greek, philoxenos] lover of strangers (1:8; 1Tim. 3:2; 1Pet. 4:9; cp. Rom. 12:13). [10] A lover of good men (1:8) [Greek, philagathos] lover of goodness.

To be continued…

Set In Order

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Titus 1:5 For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou should set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee

‘Crete’ – An island in the Aegean Sea about 225 kilometres long and 48 kilometres wide. If Paul had been to Crete and established congregations during the period of Acts it no doubt would have been recorded by Luke. Therefore, it seems clear that this was done after the close of Acts. If so, then Paul was liberated from prison for a time. It seems that he left Crete before the congregation was fully established.

‘Ordain’ [Greek, kathistemi] Translated “ordain” (1:5; Heb. 5:1; 8:3); “appoint” (Acts 6:3); “conduct” (Acts 17:15); “set” (Heb. 2:7); “make ruler” (Matt. 24:45-47; 25:21-23; Luke 12:42-44); and “make” (Luke 12:14; Acts 7:10, 27, 35; Rom. 5:19; Heb. 7:28; 2Pet. 1:8).

‘Elders’ [Greek, presbuteros] The word “elders” in the Old Testament meant the heads or rulers of the tribes, cities, and nations (Deut. 1:13). In the Gospels and Acts it generally refers to the Sanhedrin (Matt. 15:2; 16:21; 21:23; 26:3; Acts 4:5, 8, 23). In the early congregational era, elders were the ministers and deacons of the local congregations (Acts 11:30; 14:23; 16:4; 20:17, 28; 21:18; 1Tim. 5:17; Tit. 1:5; Jas. 5:14). All apostles were elders (Acts 11:30; 1Pet. 5:1; 2Jn. 1:1; 3Jn. 1:1), but all elders were not apostles (Acts 15:2, 4, 6, 22, 23; 16:4). The elders of Acts 20:17, were the overseers of Acts 20:28. The elders of 1Timothy 5:17; Titus 1:5-10 and 1Peter 5:1-2 were thr preaching elders or bishops, the ones who read (teach) from the written Word, the written books of the apostles. The business elders were deacons (Acts 6:1-15). Bishops and deacons are mentioned in Philippians 1:1 and 1Timothy 3:1-13. The word presbuteros is also used of older men and women (Luke 15:25; John 8:9; Acts 17:1-34; 4:22; 1Tim. 5:2). It is used also of heavenly ranks (Rev. 4:4, 10; 5:6, 8, 11, 14; 7:11, 13; 11:16; 14:3; 19:4). It is found 68 times and is translated “elder” except in John 8:9; Acts 2:17; 4:22.

‘Appointed’ [Greek, diatasso] Translated “appoint” (1:5; Luke 3:13; Acts 7:44; 20:13); “ordain” (1Cor. 7:17; 9:14; Gal. 3:19); “give order” (1Cor. 16:1); “command” (Matt. 11:1; Luke 8:55; 17:9-10; Acts 18:2; 23:31; 24:23); and “set in order” (1Cor. 11:34). Timothy was appointed to chose elders (bishops) as those to oversee the congregations.